Germany’s spending gamble (2025)

Helmut Schmidt - Questions of life

On December 23, 2013, former Federal Chancellor Helmut Schmidt will be 95 years old. As the second Social Democratic head of government in the Federal Republic of Germany, he shaped the country like few other chancellors. Even 30 years after the end of his time in government, he is still a highly esteemed expert whose advice and opinions are in demand. He is one of the most popular chancellors among the population and is held in the highest esteem by his party; even his political opponents at the time pay him the greatest respect.

Merkel

Driven by extensive archive material and interviews with those who know her, this is the astonishing story of how a triple outsider – a woman, a scientist, and an East German – became the de facto leader of the “Free World”, told for the first time for an international audience.

Bimbes: Die schwarzen Kassen des Helmut Kohl

During the donations scandal of 1999/2000, Helmut Kohl gave his legendary "word of honor" not to name any donors. This documentary explores the question of what this word of honor was really all about

The Indomitable

The story of women's struggle against sexual discrimination and for inclusion in the democratic process in (West) Germany after WW II.

Wir waren in der AfD - Aussteiger berichten

The AfD, founded in 2013, is a right-wing party that has become increasingly radicalized in recent years. To illustrate this, only those who enthusiastically joined the party in its early years are heard. They describe what they looked for and found in the party, but also how and why they left, disillusioned and frightened by the AfD's developments. How did they experience the party's radicalization process? How did friends and family react? When and why did they decide to turn their back on the party? How difficult was the exit process? The documentary provides an illuminating inside view of this party, which has been driving the established parties and the political establishment ahead of it for over ten years, gives viewers a unique look into the AfD's chronicle and world of thought and is at the same time a film about the mechanisms of political radicalization.

A Failed Peace, The Mistakes of The Treaty of Versailles

At the end of WWI, the treaty of Versailles established the conditions for peace in Europe. The aim for the victorious powers was to make Germany pay reparations, and to guarantee a future without war. Yet a decade later, the denunciation of 'Versailles' became a powerful lever for the nazis to obtain power as these reparations would mark the beginning of the humiliation of the German people, and nurture a feeling of having been bestowed a hopeless future. In the 20 years that follow the end of WWI, the issue of reparations and responsibility will effectively poison international relationship. The treaty negative impact goes well beyond WWII as the new European borders it implemented led to many conflicts during the twentieth century. This documentary shines a light on the causality between the decisions taken with the treaty of Versailles, and the ensuing events of the century.

Auschwitz Projekt

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CORRECTIV Unveils: Right-wing Extremist Secret Plan Against Germany

On January 10th, the investigative editorial team of CORRECTIV published research into a secret meeting of right-wing extremists, which no one was supposed to know about and which led to demonstrations and protests all over Germany. AfD politicians, CDU politicians, members of the WerteUnion, neo-Nazis and financially strong entrepreneurs came together in November 2023 in a hotel near Potsdam near the Villa on Wannsee, where the “final solution to the Jewish question” was once decided. They met to debate to expel millions of people from Germany, including non-German citizens with a migration background, as well as German citizens with a migration background and German citizens without a migration background who do not want to adapt to the ideological worldviews of those present. On January 17, 2024, the research premiered in the Berliner Ensemble as a staged reading with a political satirical character.

Deutschland - Frankreich: Beziehungsstatus ungeklärt

Sixty years after the signing of the Élysée Treaty, which opened an unprecedented era of cooperation between the two countries, how is the Franco-German tandem doing? An enlightening assessment, at a time when the war in Ukraine is shaking the world order.

Countdown To 1990 : La Réunification de l'Allemagne

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Unveiled

Survival is not enough. Fariba Tabrizi has made it. Under peril of death she has fled from Iran. In Germany she has no alternative way of avoiding the threat of deportation other than to assume the identity of a deceased co-detainee. So what happens after a few month in which she has tried to come to terms with a situation which is actually an insufferable one for her? How does Fariba live not only in this external state of exile but also in an inner state of exile? The term "in orbit" is officially used by the UN to refer to asylum-seekers who find themselves orbiting around planet Earth because they can actually find legal domicile nowhere at all.

Im Netz der Gier

Anna Grawe is the right-hand woman of Bea Kober, a member of the Bundestag. When she learns that the public prosecutor's office is investigating her boss, she becomes suspicious. The connection to oligarch Parygin makes everything even more complicated. What Anna doesn't realize is that her daughter Larissa had an affair with Parygin.

Horst Schlämmer - Isch kandidiere!

So far he has earned his living as deputy editor-in-chief at the Grevenbroicher Tagblatt, but actually Horst Schlämmer had always guessed: he was destined for something bigger - too much bigger. Without further ado, he therefore quits his old job, founds his very own party and thus starts his rush to the chancellor's office. While the election machinery is quickly started and soon picks up speed, only two questions remain unanswered: Is Horst Schlämmer ready for Germany? And is Germany ready for him?

Liebe mit Hindernissen: Die Geschichte der Deutschen und Griechen

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Queer Planet

When it comes to 'what Mother Nature intended', it turns out she was pretty open-minded. In this vivid, funny and eye-opening one-off doc we take the audience on a journey to explore the rich diversity of animal sexuality.

Paolo Conte alla Scala - Il maestro è nell’anima

On 19 February 2023, the Teatro alla Scala opened its doors to an event of exceptional importance for Italian culture: Paolo Conte presented a concert with his ensemble of instrumentalists with a ladder designed specifically for the occasion. For the first time the world temple of opera has chosen an Italian singer-songwriter: a recognition of the iconic stature achieved by Paolo Conte in the music scene of our country and his appreciation at international level This extraordinary and unrepeatable concert has become a docufilm, interspersed with footage that tell the preparation of the show, rehearsals, the arrival of Paolo Conte in the theater, snapshots of the soundcheck, backstage and a valuable story of Paolo Conte and his relationship with music.

Fuck

A documentary on the expletive's origin, why it offends some people so deeply, and what can be gained from its use.

Everest

An international team of climbers ascends Mt. Everest in the spring of 1996. The film depicts their lengthy preparations for the climb, their trek to the summit, and their successful return to Base Camp. It also shows many of the challenges the group faced, including avalanches, lack of oxygen, treacherous ice walls, and a deadly blizzard.

Extreme

EXTREME is a visually stunning 45-minute journey into the soul of adventure featuring a cast of world champion athletes. Combining incredible extreme sport action with narration from the athletes and an eclectic, contemporary soundtrack, EXTREME explores the paradox of human nature: facing fear from the edge of life.

Great North

This film takes viewers through the rich, white majesty of the Inuit Great North. Along with doing justice to the breathtaking and awesome landscape of the freezing, snow-covered environment, Great North also looks into the long-standing traditions, such as fishing and hunting, of the Inuit tribes.

The Greatest Places

A journey to seven of the most geographically dynamic locations on earth. The film features spectacular land forms, diverse wildlife and the people and cultures indigenous to these places. Distinct geographic places include the great island of Madagascar, home to unique limestone pinnacles and the playful lemur; and the greatest desert—the Namib—home of the largest sand dunes in the world that tower majestically over its western border, the Atlantic Ocean. Other locations featured are the great icecap of Greenland, Iguazu Falls in Brazil, the Okavango Delta in Botswana, the Chang Tang Plateau in Tibet, and the Amazon River in South America.

Into the Deep

An underwater exploration beneath kelp forests in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California. The film captures the birth of a shark, squids mating, a lobster molting, a fish protecting its nest from an octopus and a sea urchin, and the sea bed covered with brittle stars.

Ocean Men, Extreme Dive

For more than 10 years, world champion freedivers Pipin Ferreras and Umberto Pelizzari have been vying for world records. Their love of the sea without compromise is what unites these two rivals. However, it is their different personalities and opposing diving philosophies that separate them. Pipin is the "No Limits" man who wants to go deeper and deeper. Umberto, the purist, seeks harmony in the ocean's depth. Ocean Men takes you into the world of these two awe-inspiring freedivers through the use of breathtaking underwater photography, enchanting music, and insightful animation.

Super Speedway

We follow the Newman-Haas (Andretti) racing team through the process of building, testing, and racing for a season. This includes extensive race speed on-track footage, including some pre-race footage with a full squad of cars. From time to time, we check in with a small shop building/restoring one of the first roadsters Mario Andretti raced; the finale includes him taking it for a spin.

La danza de los Mirlos

The most recognized band of Amazonian Cumbia, Los Mirlos represents a synthesis of a musical genre that arises from ancestry, family and the exploration of other rhythms like 1960’s psychedelic rock. Together with their leader and singer, Jorge Rodriguez, we undertake a journey into the heart of Latin America.

Standing on the Line

In both amateur and professional sports, being gay remains taboo. Few dare to come out of the closet for fear of being stigmatized, and for many, the pressure to perform is compounded by a further strain: whether or not to affirm their sexual identity. Standing on the Line takes a fresh and often moving look at some of our gay athletes, who share their experiences with the camera. They’ve set out to overcome prejudice in the hopes of changing things for the athletes of tomorrow.

It Was All So Wonderful: The Everyday Magic of Mary Pratt

Feminist painter or traditional housewife? Displaced and isolated, Mary Pratt’s life was a highly complicated one of delicate rebellion. Award-winning filmmaker Kenneth J Harvey (Immaculate Memories: The Uncluttered Worlds of Christopher Pratt) reconstructs Mary Pratt's life from archival footage dating back to the 1950s, tracking Mary's development over time, while capturing her gentle humour, strength, beauty of spirit, and fascination with objects in the home, which she embraced and glorified, deeply touching and inspiring countless women through her artwork.

Is Sugar the New Fat?

Obesity is a disease that is spreading rapidly throughout the world, in both rich and poor countries. We used to think a high fat diet was to blame. In fact, refined sugar is linked to many preventable illnesses from childhood dental problems to diabetes, liver problems, stroke, heart attack, impaired brain function and obesity. This film argues that sugar is at the root of a global health crisis.

The Boy Who Found Gold

William Hart McNichols is a world renowned artist, heralded by Time magazine as "among the most famous creators of Christian iconic images in the world". As a young Catholic priest from 1983-1990 he was immersed in a life-altering journey working as a chaplain at St. Vincent's AIDS hospice in New York city. It was during this time that he became an early pioneer for LGBT rights within the Catholic church. "The Boy Who Found Gold" is a cinematic journey into the art and spirit of William Hart McNichols. The film follows his colorful life as he crosses paths with presidents, popes, martyrs, and parishioners, finding an insightful lesson with each encounter. McNichols' message as a priest, artist and man speaks to the most powerful element of the human spirit: Mercy.

Raúl Juliá: The World’s a Stage

Raúl Juliá: The World’s a Stage is a warm and revealing portrait of the charismatic, groundbreaking actor’s journey from his native Puerto Rico to the creative hotbed of 1960s New York City, to prominence on Broadway and in Hollywood. Filled with passion, determination and joy, Juliá’s brilliant and daring career was tragically cut short by his untimely death at age 54.

Picturing the Presidents

We go behind the scenes and into the minds of artists as they capture, commemorate, and, at times, condemn our presidents.

The Agony of the Mind

Our Agony Aunts and Uncles are back, and this time around they're sharing their mental wellness tips and techniques for overcoming stress and challenges.

Norppamiehen testamentti

Juha Taskinen is Finland's best-known photographer of the endangered Saimaa ringed seal and has done his life's work protecting this beautiful home species of Lake Saimaa.

Le Terminus des prétentieux

This year, Michel Audiard would have turned 100. To celebrate the life and work of the French screenwriter and director, Gaumont opens their vault and reveals some unknown information on the legendary witty dialogues writer.

Three Characters in Search of a Theater

This film raises a cry of alarm against the plan to destroy the Municipal Theater of Tunis, a neoclassical building built at the beginning of the 20th century. In this film, Kalthoum Bornaz recreates selected scenes from the history of this historical theater. Therefore, having the opportunity to save one of the gems of Tunisia's heritage, which represents an architectural memory of the colonial era that marked the physical and ideological landscape of Tunisia.

Hercules Versus Hermès

A documentary that follows the story of the Jebbour-Mektiri family, living on the beach of Sidi Mghaït, engaged in a legal battle with their neighbor Patrick Guerrand-Hermès, who claims ownership of their land.

1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture

Seeking to uncover the origins of the rabid homophobia of the conservative church, a gay seminary scholar and a straight activist make a shocking discovery: In 1946 an erroneous translation of the term homosexual in the Bible that has been weaponized against the LGBTQIA+ community ever since.